Saturday, 27th February 2010
Howzit
My apologies if this posting has more than its fair share of spelling mistakes - the spell checker within Blogger has joined the Zimbabwean civil servants and gone on strike!
-o00o-
The court had ordered the 300000 carats of diamonds worth millions of dollars to be held by the central bank pending resolution of a suit against the government by London-based African Consolidated Resources over revocation of its Marange mining rights."
So the diamonds may have been returned, but I still believe that Mpofu has a case to answer.
When Mpofu forcibly removed the diamonds, he had produced a letter that was supposedly giving him the authority to carry out the removal. Surely this is forgery and uttering?
Mpofu removed the diamonds when he never had the necessary authority to do so. Surely this, at the very least, is theft by conversion.
But the wheels of justice turn ponderously slowly in Zimbabwe and in the event that the person who has committed a crime is connected to Mugabe, the chances of justice being carried out are distinctly remote.
Mugabe & Company will be quite angry that the court ordered the diamonds returned, and will be even angrier that the supposed resolution has had to be done quite publicly. And Mugabe does have a habit of holding a grudge.
"Deputy Mines Minister Murisi Zwizwai confirmed to VOA reporter Sandra Nyaira that Mpofu heeded Chidyasiku's ruling and returned the diamonds."
Somehow, I don't think that this has played itself out fully yet.
So the diamonds may have been returned, but I still believe that Mpofu has a case to answer.
When Mpofu forcibly removed the diamonds, he had produced a letter that was supposedly giving him the authority to carry out the removal. Surely this is forgery and uttering?
Mpofu removed the diamonds when he never had the necessary authority to do so. Surely this, at the very least, is theft by conversion.
But the wheels of justice turn ponderously slowly in Zimbabwe and in the event that the person who has committed a crime is connected to Mugabe, the chances of justice being carried out are distinctly remote.
Mugabe & Company will be quite angry that the court ordered the diamonds returned, and will be even angrier that the supposed resolution has had to be done quite publicly. And Mugabe does have a habit of holding a grudge.
"Deputy Mines Minister Murisi Zwizwai confirmed to VOA reporter Sandra Nyaira that Mpofu heeded Chidyasiku's ruling and returned the diamonds."
Somehow, I don't think that this has played itself out fully yet.
-o00o-
"Newman Chiadzwa, who was embroiled in a controversy after claiming to be "Chief Chaidzwa", was yesterday convicted of illegally possessing 8kg of diamonds.
Mutare provincial magistrate Mr Billiard Masakwa remanded Chiadzwa (54) in custody to Monday for sentencing."
It will be very interesting to see just what sentence Chiadzwa will receive, bearing in mind that mines minister Obert Mpofu had 29 kilograms of diamonds illegally in his possession. And we have to remember that Mpofu had even gone as far as to have a letter drawn up to attempt to make the removal of the diamonds appear authorised.
"Chiadzwa was found in possession of 43028,20 carats of diamonds and was arrested on October 14, 2006."
This case is almost 4 years old. This highlights how long ZANU PF has been dabbling in diamonds, and yet they still have nothing to show for that time.
"Chiadzwa admitted physical control of the diamonds and that he was dealing in diamonds after the Government ordered all the illegal panners to sell the diamonds to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
"He also confirmed that he had a digital scale, which he was using to weigh diamonds. I have no slightest doubt that the State has proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt and therefore I find him guilty as charged," Mr Musakwa ruled.
In mitigation, Mr Ndlovu said the court should consider the long time the case took to conclude."
Mutare provincial magistrate Mr Billiard Masakwa remanded Chiadzwa (54) in custody to Monday for sentencing."
It will be very interesting to see just what sentence Chiadzwa will receive, bearing in mind that mines minister Obert Mpofu had 29 kilograms of diamonds illegally in his possession. And we have to remember that Mpofu had even gone as far as to have a letter drawn up to attempt to make the removal of the diamonds appear authorised.
"Chiadzwa was found in possession of 43028,20 carats of diamonds and was arrested on October 14, 2006."
This case is almost 4 years old. This highlights how long ZANU PF has been dabbling in diamonds, and yet they still have nothing to show for that time.
"Chiadzwa admitted physical control of the diamonds and that he was dealing in diamonds after the Government ordered all the illegal panners to sell the diamonds to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe.
"He also confirmed that he had a digital scale, which he was using to weigh diamonds. I have no slightest doubt that the State has proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt and therefore I find him guilty as charged," Mr Musakwa ruled.
In mitigation, Mr Ndlovu said the court should consider the long time the case took to conclude."
-o00o-
Mugabe riles me - especially when he comes out with the most amazing 'logic' in his various arguments. If ZANU PF, the former ruling party, had control of the diamond fields, then why is it that the country is broke - but that his party can afford a birthday bash valued at about half a million American dollars?
Which has the priority?
And then he says that the targeted sanctions against him and members of his party are obstructing the efforts to kick-start the economy. I would love to know how preventing Mugabe travelling to the UK or America has 'hobbled' efforts to improve the economy.
"Mr Mugabe told participants at the launch of the so-called Kadoma Declaration on labour relations that Harare is doing the best it can to improve wages and conditions for workers. He asked civil servants to be patient while government stabilized the economy.
Mr Mugabe again called for Western targeted travel and financial sanctions against him and his inner circle to be lifted, saying they were hobbling government efforts to revive the troubled economy.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti said this week that the government is bringing in US$100 million a month of which US$65 million goes to salaries. The strike by civil servants is now entering its fourth week. Workers have been sitting in at their workplaces."
Yesterday I read how Amos Midzi alleged that restrictive measures by the West had led to the collapse of the education and health ministries 'amongst others' - and now we have Mugabe claiming that the targeted sanctions have hampered the coalition government.
I don't think so!
How can targeted sanctions have caused the collapse of ministries? I have written about how medical staff have refused delivery of much-needed drugs - because they had been sourced by the MDC...
Mugabe and his mad bunch of senior loyalists have spent every cent that they could have, borrowed from everybody they could have, and have mortgaged the national resources to more than their total value.
The failure of the coalition to pay salaries is a hangover from the Mugabe regime.
"Labour Minister Paurina Mpariwa told VOA Studio 7 reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that the government wants to raise wages but is strapped at the moment.
Representatives of the striking workers were quick to dismiss the president's comments, saying government officials have not even bothered to meet with them to discuss demands.
Tendayi Chikowore, chairwoman of the Apex council that negotiates for civil servants, said the fact that public service employee representatives were not invited to the Kadoma Declaration launch showed the insincerity of the government.
Chikowore dismissed Biti’s statement on revenues, telling VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere that Harare has given the armed forces and government ministers substantial pay increases."
And while the civil servants and their families have to contend with living on less money than some of the poorest countries in the world, Mugabe-ites prepare for a birthday bash which will leave many with a feeling of anger and frustration.
"ZANU PF officials meanwhile, were putting final touches on a party starting Friday night in Bulawayo to mark President Mugabe’s 86th birthday. Critics said the extravaganza with international musical artists was inappropriate when so many Zimbabweans are struggling and state workers are on strike.
Political analyst John Makumbe of the University of Zimbabwe told VOA Studio 7 reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye that public outrage is justified.
Elsewhere, Indigenization and Empowerment minister Savior Kasukuwere, a member of Mr. Mugabe's ZANU PF, told a business conference in Bulawayo that government was pressing ahead with plans to transfer control of foreign firms to local ownership despite objections from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change party.
"The debate around indigenisation is dead," Reuters quoted Kasukuwere as saying. "We are not about to reopen the debate. We are not about to destroy the economy; far from it."
So - on Monday the 'firm grab' is set to begin. Perhaps this is the real birthday present for Mugabe.
With reference to the birthday bash, according to an article the internet, the entire pathetic expression of undying love and support for their geriatric leader will be screened live by the ZTV... (Why anyone would want to watch the 'festivities' of television, is beyond me.)
Which has the priority?
And then he says that the targeted sanctions against him and members of his party are obstructing the efforts to kick-start the economy. I would love to know how preventing Mugabe travelling to the UK or America has 'hobbled' efforts to improve the economy.
"Mr Mugabe told participants at the launch of the so-called Kadoma Declaration on labour relations that Harare is doing the best it can to improve wages and conditions for workers. He asked civil servants to be patient while government stabilized the economy.
Mr Mugabe again called for Western targeted travel and financial sanctions against him and his inner circle to be lifted, saying they were hobbling government efforts to revive the troubled economy.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti said this week that the government is bringing in US$100 million a month of which US$65 million goes to salaries. The strike by civil servants is now entering its fourth week. Workers have been sitting in at their workplaces."
Yesterday I read how Amos Midzi alleged that restrictive measures by the West had led to the collapse of the education and health ministries 'amongst others' - and now we have Mugabe claiming that the targeted sanctions have hampered the coalition government.
I don't think so!
How can targeted sanctions have caused the collapse of ministries? I have written about how medical staff have refused delivery of much-needed drugs - because they had been sourced by the MDC...
Mugabe and his mad bunch of senior loyalists have spent every cent that they could have, borrowed from everybody they could have, and have mortgaged the national resources to more than their total value.
The failure of the coalition to pay salaries is a hangover from the Mugabe regime.
"Labour Minister Paurina Mpariwa told VOA Studio 7 reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that the government wants to raise wages but is strapped at the moment.
Representatives of the striking workers were quick to dismiss the president's comments, saying government officials have not even bothered to meet with them to discuss demands.
Tendayi Chikowore, chairwoman of the Apex council that negotiates for civil servants, said the fact that public service employee representatives were not invited to the Kadoma Declaration launch showed the insincerity of the government.
Chikowore dismissed Biti’s statement on revenues, telling VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere that Harare has given the armed forces and government ministers substantial pay increases."
And while the civil servants and their families have to contend with living on less money than some of the poorest countries in the world, Mugabe-ites prepare for a birthday bash which will leave many with a feeling of anger and frustration.
"ZANU PF officials meanwhile, were putting final touches on a party starting Friday night in Bulawayo to mark President Mugabe’s 86th birthday. Critics said the extravaganza with international musical artists was inappropriate when so many Zimbabweans are struggling and state workers are on strike.
Political analyst John Makumbe of the University of Zimbabwe told VOA Studio 7 reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye that public outrage is justified.
Elsewhere, Indigenization and Empowerment minister Savior Kasukuwere, a member of Mr. Mugabe's ZANU PF, told a business conference in Bulawayo that government was pressing ahead with plans to transfer control of foreign firms to local ownership despite objections from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change party.
"The debate around indigenisation is dead," Reuters quoted Kasukuwere as saying. "We are not about to reopen the debate. We are not about to destroy the economy; far from it."
So - on Monday the 'firm grab' is set to begin. Perhaps this is the real birthday present for Mugabe.
With reference to the birthday bash, according to an article the internet, the entire pathetic expression of undying love and support for their geriatric leader will be screened live by the ZTV... (Why anyone would want to watch the 'festivities' of television, is beyond me.)
-o00o-
Oh dear... it would appear that Mugabe's financial lapdog, Gideon Gono, the unilaterally appointed Governor of the Reserve Bank, doesn't agree with the planned 'firm grab'.
"Robert Mugabe and his top economic advisor, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Gideon Gono have reportedly differed on the controversial Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act with Gono arguing that the act scares away potential investors.
Gono also believes that the act is a conduit by top ZANU PF officials to invade companies which will lead to a total destruction of industry.
Despite fierce resistance, Mugabe together with top ZANU PF officials has successfully pushed through the indigenization act, which gives 51 percent shareholding of all companies to Zimbabweans."
Mugabe is intent on destroying what little is left of the Zimbabwean economy, contrary to the claims of Savior Kasukuwere. He says that there is no debate on the planned takeovers.
You have to question just why the intended law change was not something that the MDC was involved in. If the MDC and ZANU PF are supposed to be in a 'unity' government, how is it that Mugabe is permitted to make such sweeping changes with apparent impunity - and his party didn't even win the election! And he didn't even win the Presidential election!
How is it that the party that does not have the parliamentary majority, nor is able to field a candidate for President that could win without using violence, threats and political tinkering, is able to make such huge governmental policy changes and have no resistance to the changes?
"The act has already created a storm within the inclusive government with Zanu PF opposing it while the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is opposing the largely discredited law.
Although Gono has been uncharacteristically quiet since late last year, informed sources at the RBZ said he has been trying over the past few years to discourage the government from proceeding with the controversial law.
Gono is said to maintain that the law is being created by greedy ZANU PF officials who want to grab companies for free the same they invaded and destroyed farms.
In his monetary policy statement of October 2007, Gono attacked the proponents of the indigenization law and even went on to say that it was being crafted by drunken people."
Drunk with the desire for power, prestige and position... The whole thing is just plain ludicrous.
"Gono said his attack on the act was because he had already received reports that senior and well connected personalities had already positioned themselves to muscle into certain mining, manufacturing, financial and other entities.
He added that nearly three decades after independence the political heavyweights should forget about getting business for free."
"Robert Mugabe and his top economic advisor, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Gideon Gono have reportedly differed on the controversial Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act with Gono arguing that the act scares away potential investors.
Gono also believes that the act is a conduit by top ZANU PF officials to invade companies which will lead to a total destruction of industry.
Despite fierce resistance, Mugabe together with top ZANU PF officials has successfully pushed through the indigenization act, which gives 51 percent shareholding of all companies to Zimbabweans."
Mugabe is intent on destroying what little is left of the Zimbabwean economy, contrary to the claims of Savior Kasukuwere. He says that there is no debate on the planned takeovers.
You have to question just why the intended law change was not something that the MDC was involved in. If the MDC and ZANU PF are supposed to be in a 'unity' government, how is it that Mugabe is permitted to make such sweeping changes with apparent impunity - and his party didn't even win the election! And he didn't even win the Presidential election!
How is it that the party that does not have the parliamentary majority, nor is able to field a candidate for President that could win without using violence, threats and political tinkering, is able to make such huge governmental policy changes and have no resistance to the changes?
"The act has already created a storm within the inclusive government with Zanu PF opposing it while the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is opposing the largely discredited law.
Although Gono has been uncharacteristically quiet since late last year, informed sources at the RBZ said he has been trying over the past few years to discourage the government from proceeding with the controversial law.
Gono is said to maintain that the law is being created by greedy ZANU PF officials who want to grab companies for free the same they invaded and destroyed farms.
In his monetary policy statement of October 2007, Gono attacked the proponents of the indigenization law and even went on to say that it was being crafted by drunken people."
Drunk with the desire for power, prestige and position... The whole thing is just plain ludicrous.
"Gono said his attack on the act was because he had already received reports that senior and well connected personalities had already positioned themselves to muscle into certain mining, manufacturing, financial and other entities.
He added that nearly three decades after independence the political heavyweights should forget about getting business for free."
-o00o
In all the years that I lived in Zimbabwe, I never voted - probably something determined by my service in the ZRP, during which I was trained to be apolitical.
"Millions of Zimbabweans living in exile could still be denied their voting rights under the proposed ZANU PF nationality programme.
The former ruling party’s position paper on the new constitution proposes that on issues of citizenship and the bill of rights only children born in the Diaspora would be allowed duel citizenship. This paper is being distributed to party supporters in readiness for the constitutional outreach programme.
Analysts view this is a tactical maneuver by ZANU PF as millions of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora would potentially be disqualified from taking part in the next general election under a new constitution.
At least three million Zimbabweans are said to be living outside the country, the majority of them in South Africa, having fled political repression and poverty after a decade-long economic crisis blamed on Robert Mugabe’s controversial policies, including his farm seizure programme.
Following the 2000 parliamentary elections, in which ZANU PF beat the MDC with the narrowest of margins (six seats) the government in 2001 enacted a law that stripped citizenship status and rights of close to 1.5 million Zimbabwean mine and commercial farm workers born of parents from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. This exercise resulted in statelessness for all these individuals who were also denied the right to vote in the 2002 Presidential elections."
Mugabe is not a full Zimbabwean. His father was Malawian, which means that his candidature for President of the country is forfeit. And under the law enacted nine years ago, his voting powers should have been stripped as well.
But because Mugabe is the President, he does, by virtue of his lofty office, ignore this law - and many others.
"Zimbabwe bars dual citizenship, and a 2003 amendment to the Citizenship Act tightened the law by requiring Zimbabweans who were once citizens of other countries or whose parents were once foreigners to formally renounce that ‘foreign citizenship’ in order to qualify for Zimbabwean citizenship."
I joined the ZRP in early in 1981 and I was informed early in my service that it was a legal requirement that I renounced my British nationality. I checked with the British High Commission and was told that the laws in Zimbabwe and their enactment would not affect my future claim to my birthright.
I then acceded to Mugabe's demands and renounced my English claim.
Why Mugabe himself is not in the self same position, I don't know...
"So they (ZANU PF) will try by hook or crook to stop people in the Diaspora from voting in Zimbabwe. But since this is a proposal by ZANU PF, it is not guaranteed that this will sail through Parliament under the current legislative set up. I regard this as election posturing,” Mhlanga said.
Josh Chigwangwa, another exiled Zimbabwean living in the UK said the proposal by ZANU PF was 'very dangerous' in that it sought to separate children from their parents.
"Instead of embracing the national healing concept they still want to alienate the millions of Zimbabweans living in exile. This is why we are urging the inclusive government to make changes to the law where necessary to enable thousands of Zimbabweans who lost their citizenship, or who have acquired citizenship of other countries to participate in national affairs,” Chigwangwa said."
"Millions of Zimbabweans living in exile could still be denied their voting rights under the proposed ZANU PF nationality programme.
The former ruling party’s position paper on the new constitution proposes that on issues of citizenship and the bill of rights only children born in the Diaspora would be allowed duel citizenship. This paper is being distributed to party supporters in readiness for the constitutional outreach programme.
Analysts view this is a tactical maneuver by ZANU PF as millions of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora would potentially be disqualified from taking part in the next general election under a new constitution.
At least three million Zimbabweans are said to be living outside the country, the majority of them in South Africa, having fled political repression and poverty after a decade-long economic crisis blamed on Robert Mugabe’s controversial policies, including his farm seizure programme.
Following the 2000 parliamentary elections, in which ZANU PF beat the MDC with the narrowest of margins (six seats) the government in 2001 enacted a law that stripped citizenship status and rights of close to 1.5 million Zimbabwean mine and commercial farm workers born of parents from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. This exercise resulted in statelessness for all these individuals who were also denied the right to vote in the 2002 Presidential elections."
Mugabe is not a full Zimbabwean. His father was Malawian, which means that his candidature for President of the country is forfeit. And under the law enacted nine years ago, his voting powers should have been stripped as well.
But because Mugabe is the President, he does, by virtue of his lofty office, ignore this law - and many others.
"Zimbabwe bars dual citizenship, and a 2003 amendment to the Citizenship Act tightened the law by requiring Zimbabweans who were once citizens of other countries or whose parents were once foreigners to formally renounce that ‘foreign citizenship’ in order to qualify for Zimbabwean citizenship."
I joined the ZRP in early in 1981 and I was informed early in my service that it was a legal requirement that I renounced my British nationality. I checked with the British High Commission and was told that the laws in Zimbabwe and their enactment would not affect my future claim to my birthright.
I then acceded to Mugabe's demands and renounced my English claim.
Why Mugabe himself is not in the self same position, I don't know...
"So they (ZANU PF) will try by hook or crook to stop people in the Diaspora from voting in Zimbabwe. But since this is a proposal by ZANU PF, it is not guaranteed that this will sail through Parliament under the current legislative set up. I regard this as election posturing,” Mhlanga said.
Josh Chigwangwa, another exiled Zimbabwean living in the UK said the proposal by ZANU PF was 'very dangerous' in that it sought to separate children from their parents.
"Instead of embracing the national healing concept they still want to alienate the millions of Zimbabweans living in exile. This is why we are urging the inclusive government to make changes to the law where necessary to enable thousands of Zimbabweans who lost their citizenship, or who have acquired citizenship of other countries to participate in national affairs,” Chigwangwa said."
-o00o-
Take care.
'debvhu
'debvhu
posted by Robb WJ Ellis at 8:04 AM
Union Jack (1963 - 64, 1998 - ??)
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